Tag: New Zealand

Mail Hold made easier with new Online Service

Posted by | Apr 11, 2008 | |

New Zealand Post has today launched a new online service for household customers wanting their mail held while they are away from home for an extended period.

Mail Holds can continue to be arranged by visiting a PostShop, and the addition of an online channel will make it even more convenient for customers to ensure their mail is kept safe and secure at New Zealand Post while they’re away.

The online service is available to household customers who hold a New Zealand driver’s licence. Householders’ addresses are validated according to New Zealand Post address standards, including the correct postcode, and a New Zealand driver’s licence is required to verify customer identification.

The fee for the online hold is USD 5 a week, the same as that offered at PostShops, and the same three working day period is required to activate an online hold request.

Businesses and other organisations, including charities, and non driver’s licence holders will still need to go to their local PostShop to put mail on hold.

Customers can opt to register for the online service and be able to access other products and services from New Zealand Post.

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New Zealand Post introduces new pricing in proportion system

Posted by | Mar 28, 2008 | |

On 28 March 2008, New Zealand Post introduced a new pricing in proportion system for all standard domestic mail. Similar to the system recently introduced in the UK this means letters and parcels sent within New Zealand are now priced in direct proportion to their size and weight. Previously parcels have been priced mainly on weight.

Motivations behind the change are very similar to that of the UK and reflect the worldwide drive for cost reflective pricing among incumbent postal operators. Previously some larger sized items of mail have been the same price to send as smaller items and this has not reflected the cost of handling them. As most of the mail that passes through our network is of a smaller size, it is fair that the postage price is in proportion to the size and weight of the item.

• larger items require manual processing (not machine processing)
• larger items require double handling by both Mail Sorters and Posties
• larger items are more costly to transport due to size

A further parallel with the UK can be seen with many standard items remaining the same price although New Zealand has not introduced a grace period for surcharging it will consider the change when assessing under paid items. The postage price for most of the standard domestic letters that go through the network remains unchanged at NZD 0.50 (USD 0.39)because most of these letters are of a smaller size.

However, a more selective brand of PiP is employed in New Zealand with the more lucrative bulk mail products escaping the new system. Bulk mail products (VolumePost, GoFlexible and PrintPost) and international products are not changing.

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New Zealand Post launches another card first

Posted by | Mar 26, 2008 | |

From Thursday 6 March 2008 New Zealand Post and Visa International will be launching “Loaded”, the country’s first general-purpose reloadable prepaid Visa card.

The card offers a new payment option to consumers looking for the functionality and acceptance of a credit card along with the sensible spending habits offered by prepaid. It works in the same way as a prepaid mobile phone – you load funds on the card before you spend.

Loaded is easy to get. It isn’t attached to a bank account and anyone over the age of 13 is able to apply for a card.

Terese Tunnicliffe, New Zealand Post’s Payment Services General Manager says “we believe Loaded will appeal to a broad range of people because of the freedom and control it offers over other card types”.

“Loaded is the ideal card for people who are either too young or don’t qualify for a credit card or those people who want added control over their spending. It not only makes online shopping more accessible for New Zealanders but will appeal to those who want to shop online securely and within their means”.

“Knowing the card will have a widespread appeal, we’ve made Loaded as flexible and user-friendly as possible, but at the same time we have also taken a responsible approach and included several safeguards” says Ms Tunnicliffe.

One such safeguard is based on age. When a customer applies for a card, their age will determine whether they receive an over 18 account or an under 18 account. The under 18 card can not be used at bottle shops, bars or to purchase adult orientated services. A customer who is 18 or over can also elect to have an under 18 account if they want the restrictions built into the under 18 card account to apply to their card (e.g. if they want a second card for a teenage relative to use).

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Freightways Acquires NOW Couriers

Posted by | Mar 25, 2008 | |

Freightways Limited has agreed to purchase the business and assets of Momentum Management Limited (trading as NOW Couriers), with effect from 1 April.

Privately-owned NOW Couriers operates a package delivery business in the metropolitan Auckland market and provides a national overnight service through Freightways Castle Parcels and Post Haste brands.

NOW Couriers has 40 contracted owner drivers who service greater Auckland. It prides itself on the high levels of service it is able to deliver to customers.

The purchase price of up to NZD 11 million will be paid over two years. Initial payments totalling approximately NZD 7.5 million will equate to 5 times EBIT for the year ending 31 March 2008. Two further payments with a maximum combined total of approximately NZD 3.5 million will be made subject to performance in the years ending 31 March 2009 and 2010.

The NOW Couriers Managing Director and his team will remain in the business to continue its growth and development as a stand alone business alongside the other Freightways express package brands.

Freightways, which operates in the express package, business mail and information management markets, has bought several businesses in the information management sector in Australia and New Zealand in recent years. Mr Bracewell says the acquisition of NOW Couriers is consistent with Freightways’ strategy to develop growth opportunities that complement its existing operations.

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KiwiBank Boosts Post Group Half Year Result

Posted by | Mar 25, 2008 | |

The New Zealand Post Group performed well in the six months to 31 December 2007, and has reported a net profit after tax of $52.9 million, says Group Chief Executive John Allen. “Taking account of new International Financial Reporting Standards, we have made a $4.5 million improvement – an increase of over nine per cent on the previous half year result. ”

Our result shows the benefits of our diversification strategy, with positive performances by Datamail, Postal Services and Express Couriers. Kiwibank contributed $22.7 million to our half year result.

“The past period has been exciting for us. The local government elections showed the power of the New Zealand Post Group at producing and delivering mail items. Our Value of Mail campaign has tugged at the nation’s heartstrings and reinforces the power of mail as a communications tool. We’ve also opened two new sustainably designed mail centres in Auckland and Christchurch.

“Over the period, Kiwibank has continued to grow. It’s seen a 55 per cent increase in lending, and a 30 per cent increase in retail deposits. It’s also won two awards for its new mobile banking service, and the Marsh Most Improved Performance award in the Deloitte Top 200 awards”.

John Allen says that, overall, he’s pleased with the performance of the Group, given that all parts of the business operate in highly competitive markets. “Typically, we record our strongest performance in the first six months of the year. I expect that this trend will continue and that the six months ahead will be challenging, although our diversification strategy positions us well.”

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